Māori data governance for housing using mātauranga Māori to inform data systems
Dr Kim Southey presenting at the He pounga waihoe nā ō mātua symposium, Te Atawhai o te Ao (Independent Māori Institute for Environment and Health; photo supplied)
Data is indispensable for decision making in all facets of social and economic life, especially in times of crises and resource scarcity. Aotearoa has a well-documented housing crisis, driven by both demand and supply-side issues, with whānau Māori over represented among those with the highest housing needs and poorest outcomes. There is significant potential for Māori to lead innovative models of participatory housing development through data governance approaches that can account for multiple knowledges and perspectives that are strengths-based and oriented toward holistic solutions. This research programme will focus on partnering with Māori communities and Māori housing providers to co-create a model of Māori data governance for housing using mātauranga Māori to inform data systems. Current housing data approaches can be enhanced to reflect Māori housing aspirations and to redesign data systems guided by community expertise and lived experience, shaping data practices and processes in ways that support effective housing and public housing decision making.